2009 Questions to the Candidates

Questions to the Candidates

On this page you'll find the answers provided by
candidates in the 2009 Saugus local election to the questions
posed by readers of Saugus.net.
Remember that candidates are not required to participate at
all or answer any particular questions. Remember also that
these answers are directly provided by the candidates
themselves do not reflect Saugus.net's official standing in
any matter. If you are a candidate yourself and would like to
participate, be sure to see the candidates'
information page.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of
Saugus in the next two years?

and a freebie question:

What else do you think is important?

Town Charter

We have also contacted the committees for and against the proposed charter and asked them
to submit short arguments defending their views.

Points For the Proposed Charter

The Saugus Charter Commission sent the following numbered list:

Voters Will Have More Say And Greater Access: The proposed
charter will restore power to the voters and give them far more
access to government than they currently have. Citizens can
petition the assembly with just 10 signatures, have two
mandatory public forums each year, and speak rights.

Elected Officials Will Be More Accountable Through Annual
Staggerd Elections: Elected officials will be more accountable
to the voters through clearly defined responsibilities and
obligations, annual staggered competitive elections and with
initiative, referendum, and recall procedures.

Conflict Of Interest Laws Will Apply To All Officials And
Town Employees Will Not Be Able To Hold Elective Office: No
longer will town employees be able to serve on elected bodies
that determine the budgets out of which they are paid. For the
first time in Saugus, the state conflict of interest law will
apply to all elected officials so that no elected official will
be able to vote on any measure in which they or their family
member have a financial interest.

A More Responsive Legislature: The Assembly will be able to
call itself into session and deal with issues in a more timely
manner, thus avoiding delays that have led to costly borrowing
as well as inaction on critical matters of finance such as the
recent defaulting on the Vocational School budget.

Stronger Fiscal Controls: Required financial planning,
revenue forecasts, and budgetary controls to ensure that funds
are not misspent or wasted.

Required Capital And Land Use Planning: Saugus elected
officials must develop plans for its buildings and resources.
Mapping the future will reduce wasteful spending and maximize
revenue opportunities.

Improved Budget Process For School Department: The school
department's needs will be heard by elected officials at the
beginning of the budget process and not in the middle. The
school department will participate in capital planning, town
manager screening, and the select board chair will be the sixth
non-voting member of the school committee to enhance
communication.

Mandatory Charter Review: Rather than wait another 60 years,
the new charter has a mandatory review process every five years.
Revisions, additions or deletions will be much simpler to
accomplish.

Professional Management Will Be Retained: The day-to-day
operations of the town will still be administered by a town
manager and NOT a mayor. There will still be a five member
select board that will establish policy and a separate
legislature that will have less committees than town meeting now
has.

Yearly Performance Review Of Town Manager: Like all other
communities in Massachusetts, the Saugus Town Manager will now
receive a yearly performance review on goals established by the
select board you elect.